Hold Up a Mirror
I want you to imagine this poem
As twenty people hand in hand
Take a photo, print and show them
Dancing on the glassing sand
Though twenty people hand in hand
In one voice they shout together
Dancing on the glassing sand
Let these people dance forever
In one voice they shout together
"You shall not oppress our sisters!
Let these people dance forever:
Young men with their wedded misters!"
If they should oppress our sisters,
If the leaders covet power
Young men with their wedded misters
will lie alone at the twelfth hour
If the leaders covet power,
Take a photo, print and show them
Lying awake at the twelfth hour,
I want you to imagine this poem.
About Hold Up a Mirror
While initially intended to be presented on David Morley's 'The Practice of Poetry' module, this piece was swapped out in favour of a more personal sestina, 'Homecoming?'. Written in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the poem explores the injustices in the modern world, emphasising the oppression of the LGBTQ+ community.
The focus on world leaders seeking power over morality is equally relevant to contemporary politics, with the British Conservative Party in turmoil after the election of their third leader in one year, and Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering a 'special military operation' in Ukraine. The poem calls on people to defend their fellow citizens and remind their leaders of their responsibility to their people.
Recorded on
DATE
Read by
Vance Hatton